Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

Kafka's voice held a tremor of loneliness, yet it softened quickly, becoming gentle once more. "Daziel… may I call you Ziel? And perhaps… change my address?"

Daziel's lip curled slightly. "I wouldn't say we're quite that familiar yet, at least not in my current memory. But if it pleases you, go ahead."

Kafka gazed at him with soft eyes, an almost infatuated tone coloring her voice. "It seems, Ziel, you remain that same pure and righteous child… just as you always were."

Daziel brushed aside Kafka's teasing ambiguity. He walked to the window, his gaze drifting to the sky beyond, his mind still a confused blank. Would he truly be capable of the despicable acts Elio predicted? Daziel rubbed his temples, his thoughts racing, yet the answer remained frustratingly elusive.

"What's wrong? Afraid to meet my eyes? Or… is there something troubling your thoughts?" Kafka's seductive voice drifted to him again, noticing his distant demeanor. "I told you, if you have questions, you might as well ask. I may hold the answers. Elio's script… it reveals a great deal about you."

Daziel sighed, turning from the window. He returned to the table, sinking into his chair with a sense of helplessness. "If you persist like this, it's impossible for me to focus, to think clearly."

"However," he continued, "I doubt even you possess the answers I seek. Who's to say if anything a woman like you says is even truthful?"

"How will you know if you don't try?"

Kafka chuckled, observing Daziel's subtle unease. Her voice, like a feather's touch, whispered close to his ear. "Tell you what, Ziel, let's play a 'Truth Game'!"

Had it finally arrived? The moment in the original plot? A flicker of anticipation stirred within Daziel. Mimicking his character from the story, he adopted a tone of feigned impatience. "A 'Truth Game'? How utterly childish…"

"This isn't just child's play, Ziel. It's a game we used to enjoy, with elements of psychological strategy." Kafka leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry murmur near his ear. "We'll take turns asking questions. Lying is permitted, but each answer must contain 'one truth and one falsehood'." Her breath ghosted across his ear, carrying a faint, intoxicating perfume—an almost imperceptible temptation.

Seated in his chair, Daziel instinctively leaned back, but her hand gently halted him. Even with the restraints of the handcuffs, her fingertips grazed against his collar, a subtle, deliberate tease.

"Meaning…" she continued, her voice a soft whisper, "…that of the answers I give you, one will be true, the other false. But discerning which is which… that, Ziel, is for you, the questioner, to judge."

Daziel turned his head away, attempting to escape her gaze, but Kafka relentlessly pursued, closing the distance. Were it not for the handcuffs restricting her, Daziel knew she would press her entire body against him.

"Alright," she conceded, her voice tinged with a playful laziness. "We don't have much time, so… let's say two rounds. You get two questions, and you'll give me two answers in return. But remember – 'one truth and one falsehood'! "

Daziel frowned. "What if I tell the truth both times?"

Kafka blinked, feigning seriousness. "Ah, that would be a foul!" Then, laughter bubbled from her, playful and teasing. "Well, the game relies on both players consciously adhering to the rules. But even if you cheat, I wouldn't know for certain. Only your conscience can be the true judge."

Daziel nodded slowly. "Very well, I agree." After all, two questions for Kafka wasn't a bad deal. At least now he had the freedom to ask, unlike the limited choices in the game.

"Knew you wouldn't refuse." Kafka tossed her hair lightly, then leaned back against the table, adopting a relaxed pose. "But I swear to you, Ziel, I will abide by the rules – 'one truth and one falsehood'! Let me demonstrate by going first."

"Okay…" Daziel responded, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach.

"You seem a little flustered, Trailblazer. But relax. The first question is just to warm up. It doesn't matter if you answer truthfully or falsely. The real fun of this game… it will only surface with the second question." Her eyes locked onto his, the corners of her lips curving into a knowing smile. "My first question is, do you like mommy?"

What kind of question is that? No—did I even hear her correctly? Is this woman insane?! Daziel's mind recoiled in stunned disbelief. "This… what sort of question is that?! And why would you call yourself 'mommy' now of all times?"

"Aiya, never mind that, just answer honestly, Ziel." Kafka chuckled, her tone laced with amusement.

Daziel averted his gaze, unable to meet Kafka's playful stare. His voice came out stiff and awkward. "Maybe… maybe I did, a little, once. But after you controlled me with those verbal commands, I realized you are utterly wicked to the core. I wasted my kindness trying to help you. Frankly, I just want to teach you a lesson."

Kafka blinked, feigning surprise. "Aiya, I'm truly sorry to hear that, Ziel. But… did you speak from the heart? It seems our Ziel remains as open as ever, not so skilled at concealing his feelings?" A soft chuckle escaped her lips, laced with smug satisfaction. "Then, your answer to your next question… it must surely be false, wouldn't you say?"

That wicked woman! She isn't truly apologetic at all, is she? She seems almost… pleased with her own behavior. Daziel was rendered speechless.

"Your turn to ask," Kafka prompted.

Daziel paused, a moment of silence hanging in the air. His eyes, filled with complex emotions, finally met hers. "What… what is the relationship between us?" The question from the original plot. Daziel intended to use her answer to discern truth from falsehood, setting the stage for his crucial second question.

Kafka seemed momentarily taken aback, then a soft laugh escaped her lips. It was a smile laced with a hint of both tenderness and helplessness. "Genetically speaking, Ziel, you are… my child. A quarter of the genetic data that forms your body originated from me." She sighed softly, a mixture of resignation and fondness in her voice. "However, Silver Wolf, Blade, and Sam… they simply aren't suited for raising children. So, the responsibility of nurturing you fell to me. It was exhausting, Ziel, utterly exhausting. And so, the moment I saw an opportunity, I… deposited you on the Astral Express."

Daziel scoffed, his tone laced with disdain. "So, that's your lie then? Is that your attempt at misdirection?"

"Why do you say that, Ziel?" Kafka blinked innocently, deliberately adopting a wide-eyed, guileless expression. Tsk, this wicked woman acting all cute… truly terrifying! Even though Daziel knew the plot—knew that Kafka had no blood relation to him whatsoever—Kafka's previous question, calling herself "mommy," made this whole charade even more bizarre. Does Kafka… does she have some strange maternal fetish?

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